Oman vs Sweden: Driving Differences You Must Know
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations in Oman and Sweden, two countries with distinct driving practices. From lane markings to speed limits, this comparison highlights key variations that impact travel safety. Understanding these contrasts ensures a secure journey, whether navigating Oman’s open roads or Sweden’s structured highways.
Lanes
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
oman:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
oman:
N/A
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
oman:
N/A
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
oman:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
oman:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
oman:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
oman:
40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
oman:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
oman:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
oman:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
oman:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Oman | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
oman:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
oman:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
oman:
Not used in Oman
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
oman:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
oman:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
oman:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
oman:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
oman:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
oman:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
oman:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
oman:
Not typically allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
oman:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
oman:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
oman:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
oman:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
oman:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
oman:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
oman:
Regular inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
oman:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
oman:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use more frequent compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
oman:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
oman:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
oman:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
oman:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
oman:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
oman:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
oman:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
oman:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
oman:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
oman:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
oman:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
oman:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
oman:
Common
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
oman:
Substantial fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
oman:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
oman:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
oman:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
oman:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
oman:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
oman:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
oman:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 9999 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
oman:
9999
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
oman:
9999
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
oman:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Oman | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines can be substantial | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; ensure timely payment | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
oman:
Fines may apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
oman:
Fines may apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
oman:
Fines can be substantial
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
oman:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
oman:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
oman:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.